Further information
Section 96 interim criteria - 2 November 2010 to 19 July 2011
Former Section 96 interim criteria in effect from 2 November 2010 to 19 July 2011
Former Section 96 criteria are no longer in use.
Ministers have decided to remove the former Section 96 (Learning and Skills Act 2000) criteria for the approval of vocational qualifications for use in maintained schools and colleges for students up to 19. This decision has been taken as the former Section 96 criteria were out of date and did not support the Coalition Government's priorities for vocational education. Ministers do not wish to pre-empt Professor Wolf's review of vocational education and her recommendations which are due early in 2011.
In place of the previous arrangements, the following interim arrangements will be put in place until further notice. These interim arrangements will be kept under regular review and will be replaced by new arrangements when appropriate in light of Professor Wolf's review.
1. No new vocational qualifications to be approved for use pre-16
Subject to the exceptions set out below*, no new vocational qualifications for use pre-16 will be approved until further notice.
*Exceptions:
- Any newly accredited GCSEs and equivalent academic qualifications
- Pre-16 qualifications which are, in fact, existing (and pre-16 approved) qualifications that have simple been reconfigured for the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF)
- Entry level vocational qualifications
2. New accredited vocational qualifications for use pre-16 will in general be approved
3. Only qualifications that meet high quality standards shall be eligible for public funding. Accreditation by Ofqual (or a regulatory body recognised by them) will be expected to provide these assurances. Account will be taken of where the qualification is suitable for the age group in terms of qualification size, maturity of pupils, social well-being and health and safety requirements.
In all cases the Secretary of State will retain the ability to approve, or not to approve, qualifications on an individual basis.
Status
The Lists of Approved External Qualifications have the force of law. The contents of this web site serve only as guide. They should not be treated as a complete and authoritative statement of the law.